—1—
When the 4-year-old walked by the computer, the main page of Unremarkable Files was on the screen. Pretending to read (but really just recognizing the logo,) he furrowed his brow in concentration and slowly said: "Unremarkable Files."
We all thought it was funny, but mostly because he put kind of a southern twang to it so it sounded like "unremarkable fails."
Phillip chuckled, "That's a different blog, buddy."
Well... not entirely.
—2—
A friend from church somehow acquired a record of fiddle music, and because our daughter is a violinist he gave it to us. We don't have a record player, but I knew a friend whose teenage daughter does, so I called and asked to borrow it.
I was nervous because I've never used a record player and didn't want to break it, so I made them give me detailed instructions when I went to pick it up.
Let me tell you, it's a really weird experience being 40 and not understanding how to use technology from your parent's generation until a 15-year-old explains it to you.
Playing music on a turntable has a definitely aesthetic appeal and I get why people like it.
Even though the record we had was a 45 so it only had two songs, the kids wanted to play it over and over. I guess that's not surprising since they listen to the same ridiculous songs on YouTube over and over, too.
—3—
After my appointment with my rheumatologist, he sent me to the lab for some blood work. I would've eaten breakfast before I came if I'd known he was going to do that, but it would still be okay... probably. Right?
Let me explain: I pass out when I get blood drawn. Not every time, but often enough that it's always a possibility. And if I'm hungry, or thirsty, or tired, or freaked out, or I watch them do the blood draw, or I look away but think about what they're doing... it's actually pretty darn likely that I will faint.
But I figured whatever, I'd steel myself and get through this. I can do this. I am strong. I am woman, hear me roar.
My self-confidence wavered when I sat down in the chair and the nurse plonked down THIRTEEN TUBES on the counter.
After digging around with the needle in my left arm, she blew out the vein (I've got to find out what that means because it sounds terrifying) and then moved to my right. She drew two vials but then something happened and that vein blew out, too, and then I started to feel light-headed.
I think you can guess what happened next. There was an embarrassing spectacle involving a flashing emergency light that conveniently alerted everyone in the packed waiting room to the show, and three nurses trying to revive me. Then those same nurses leading me by the elbow like a geriatric patient across the waiting room (smile and wave, it's like a parade!) to a different station with a reclining chair to finish the blood draw.
It was so exhausting that I laid down and slept for an hour when I got home.
—4—
On the recommendation of an Unremarkable Files Facebook fan, I started reading the book Confessions of an Organized Homemaker.
I've read a lot of personal organization and time management books so many of the principles were familiar, but I did find some parts really helpful. I was actually in the middle of reading a section on meal planning that made a lot of sense to me and I was excited to try it, but then I lost the book.
I know it's somewhere in my house... perhaps under this??
 |
| Feeling less and less like the intended audience for Confessions of an Organized Homemaker all the time. |
But I did make weekly menus the way she suggested, and I think it's going to eliminate the worst 30 minutes of my entire week: figuring out what to eat for dinner and making the grocery list.
I'll now be spending that 30 minutes looking for my lost book.
—5—
The other day I noticed a cobweb on the ceiling and grabbed a broom to sweep it away. Then I noticed the curtain rod directly beneath it was kind of dusty, too.
As I dusted it, I noticed the curtains could use a wash, so I took them down and hand washed them in the sink. But once the curtains were off, the windows looked visibly smudged and splattered with who-knows-what so I removed the screens, hosed them off outside, and squeegeed the windows.
Compared with the sparkling windows, the windowsill now looked dirty so I gave that a cleaning. And when I surveyed the scene I realized that putting a few coats of plyurethane on the sill and window frame has been on my to-do list for about eight years and I never do it because I'd have to take down the curtains and screens first, so I might as well do it before putting them back up.
So a mere four hours later, I had finished taking care of that pesky cobweb on the ceiling!
On one hand, I feel like I should have more self-restraint so I don't get carried away like that. On the other hand, that's honestly the only way things get done around here so I can't say I regret it.
—6—
Thanksgiving is coming. I'm excited because (1) I'm not the holiday cook, Phillip is, and (2) I love our Thanksgiving centerpiece.
One of my kids made it at a church activity years ago and it's my favorite. Not only is it a frugal, easy-to-replace decoration if it gets broken (it's literally a stick in a mason jar,) but it also doubles as an activity.
In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, we always go around the table and write things we're grateful for an hang them on the Thankful Tree.
—7—
Lastly, this afternoon I'm going to be watching an 11-minute video and you're all invited to join me.
In my church, we regularly hear messages from our prophet a few times a year at General Conference, but a special worldwide address like this on a random day of the week is pretty rare so this must be important.
I'm not exactly expecting him to say "Mark your calendars, the Second Coming of Christ is on Tuesday," but I do feel confident it's going to be a timely and important message for everyone affected by COVID-19. So basically, all of us.
You're welcome to listen in with me, regardless of whether you belong to my church or any church.
1 comment:
In regards to #5, I am impressed you had four hours to do whatever you chose without getting pulled off into other people's priorities. I rarely start projects because I always feel like I'm on call to everyone else in the house. It's a real hit to productivity.
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